Experimental studies of group selection: A genetical perspective

Studies of group selection have been done with both natural and manipulated populations using plants, insects and birds. Group selection occurred in a ll studies and often the strength of group selection was equal to that of i ndividual selection. Laboratory selection experiments resulted in the oppos ite response to individual selection than that predicted. Selection with pl ants for high leaf area resulted in plants with smaller leaf area and selec tion for high emigration rate in beetles produced lines with lower rates. T he selected traits included interactions among individuals. Theoretical stu dies have shown that generically based interactions among individuals can i nterfere with individual selection. Evolution can be partitioned into selec tion and the response to selection. A response to selection requires geneti c variation. Properties of group genetic structure for the natural populati ons are discussed. The experimental populations had controlled group struct ure and demonstrate that populations can respond to group selection under s ome genetic structures.